How to fail clinical
- page 2

This is from a document I post for my students at the start of clinical. Doing any of these things will probably result in failing clinically. Remember, we faculty have wide leeway in making a... Read More

The students need clear cut guidelines of the expectations. Nothing wrong with that.

I remember WHITE shoes only a certain kind. Hair up and off the collar. Cap in the carrier worn ONLY INDOORS. White or blue sweater. White panty hose at ALL times. No nail polish. 1 necklace if it was a cross. Wedding bands only not rings with stones. A watch with a second hand allowed on the wrist but preferred pinned to your shirt. Uniforms only if matching and actual uniforms. Pants allowed but not preferred. NO earrings, no perfume minimal lipstick allowed...nothing flashy. White underwear.

I went to a regular college in the late seventies....don't you think I stood out? My CI used to carry white shoe polish and if you were scuffed you polished.

There are things about those days I miss.....and things I don't (wink)

In my second year of Nursing school, we were required to park in a mulch lot at one of our clinical sites. It had rained all night. the mulch lot was a muddy slush lot. I had some mud on my shoes and on the cuff area of my pants near my ankles. I was nearly sent home about it. Yelled at and embarrassed in front of the entire class until several others pointed out we had parked in a muddy bog and their shoes looked as bad or worse than mine. There was no apology from the instructor, just an assurance that if it happened again I would be dismissed. I eventually had to make a visit to the dean to get her to stop, and I wasn't the only one who had to make that visit.

If you make your students park in a quagmire, expect dirty shoes.

I guess I am saying that it would have been nice if some of my instructors had used common sense when enforcing some of their "rules."

My first clinical was a nightmare, I had to wear the nurses hat, have my shoulder length hair off my collar, my hair would never stay up and my hat always slid off, my instructor gave me the impression I would fail and then when it was over, she said "you were one of my best students" whew! I'm glad those days gone. There is no reason for an instructor to act like a drill sargent.

I think these are all totally reasonable. I would be willing to follow these rules as a student, But also as a students we should have some expectations of our instructors as well. The main one is to be treated respectfully especially, with all the prereqs, most of us are adult learners, not children at reform school. All nurses should be treated respectfully including showing each other respect and that should start in school.

I just saw a fellow student get dismissed today. He was given lots of chances, and instead of really being humble and admitting his shortcomings after the first few incidents, he just kept going. He conveyed a sense of not taking things seriously, he was confused about what paperwork was required, and he didn't ask for help.

I appreciate your view as an instructor. I think you make a valid point; most instructors are not out to make your life a living hell for no good reason. There is a reason they want you to read all that stuff and do all those assignments. This is not going to be a job where you can just kind of sit at your desk and nurse a hangover or otherwise be distracted.

These rules are really not that big of a deal. These are the kind of rules you would be expected to follow in the real world, and you could lose your license and your livelihood for doing these things.

Hear hear, regarding clinical instructor behaviors. I had one once where our post meeting regularly consisted of her sobbingly sharing her personal details about her pending divorce and soon-to-be ex-husband. Those who were the most helpful and empathetic ended up with the best grades, strangely. And the amazing thing is, she didn't get fired... she ended up getting promoted to the head of the PN program! Of course, she got fired the next year, for saying to the class, "If you don't like it- [flips the double bird]".

My first clinical was a nightmare, I had to wear the nurses hat, have my shoulder length hair off my collar, my hair would never stay up and my hat always slid off, my instructor gave me the impression I would fail and then when it was over, she said "you were one of my best students" whew! I'm glad those days gone. There is no reason for an instructor to act like a drill sargent.

It's called a *CAP*, I tell ya I nurse's *CAP*

Hats are worn out of doors.

Whew! Gotta stop drinking that coffee after dinner, it keeps me up late then I pop in here! *LOL*

1. Student nurses should follow their instructors not "other" nurses. If your CI wants something done *that* way, then that is how it's done regardless of how nurses on the floor do things. Once you graduate and get a license you're on your own.

2. Supplies are not a "help yourself" market. That is called theft.

3. Ask before assuming you are part of the "staff". If there are snacks, a birthday cake or other goodies the nurse's lounge or station ask before just helping yourself.